Your New Year's Goal: Get a New Job

If you made a big, career-related New Year’s resolution this year, we’re betting it’s one of three things: finding a new job, getting a big promotion at your current company, or finally venturing out on your own.

Today, we're focusing on landing that fabulous new gig. And in addition to all of the Job Search Month stuff we have coming your way, we've put together a step-by-step guide to kicking off your hunt.

What are you waiting for? Here's how to get started this week.

Step 1: Get Your Resume Recruiter-Ready

First things first—time to dust off that old 8.5 x 11" page (yes, and by page, we mean one. Not two. Especially not three). If you're a recent grad or need some basic resume guidance, start with our Resume 101 guide. Otherwise, pull up what you've got and give it a face lift with these resume makeover resources.

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Step 2: Get LinkedIn

What's perhaps more important than an awesome, up-to-date resume is an awesome, up-to-date LinkedIn profile—consider it your public job-seeker persona. Again, if you're thinking "LinkedWhat?" start here, but otherwise, make sure your profile is up-to-date, you're connected to everyone you know, and you're doing everything you can to put your best virtual foot forward.

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Step 3: Enlist Your Army

One of the most important things to remember when you're a job seeker is that you are not alone. You have a whole network of people who can help you—from your old bosses and colleagues to your friends to even the professionals—and you should definitely use them. All you have to do is ask (the right way, of course).

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Step 4: Network Your Face Off

If you do anything to get started your job search started this month, do this. So, we may have stolen the "network your face off" quote from our CEO Kathryn Minshew, but seriously, we mean it. Step away from the computer screen. Put yourself out there. Meet everyone you can. Go to industry events, alumni mixers, meet-ups, whatever. Oh, and don't forget the power of informational interviews. We cannot emphasize this enough.

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Step 5: Find the Right Jobs

Though about 70% of jobs come from networking (yep, we said it again), it's obviously helpful to search job boards and apply online, particularly on the websites of companies you want to work for. Here, we believe in quality over quantity: Your time is better spent crafting amazing applications for a few jobs than blasting your resume to 100 sites. (And if you're not sure exactly what you're looking for, browse People at The Muse to get a peek into tons of exciting job positions.)

Step 6: Rock Your Interviews

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Step 7: Keep the Momentum Going

While it's exciting to get started on your job hunt, it can be tough to keep your energy up over time (especially when you've got that little thing called another job to deal with). But remember, sometimes finding the perfect job can take a while—it requires a long-term strategy, taking care of yourself, and, of course, great follow-up skills. Hang in there and keep your spirits up. We know the right job is just around the corner.